July 24, 2011

THERE ONCE WAS A TIME

There once was a time when you could visit the Toronto Reference Library and browse through a thick catalogue of 16mm motion picture films. This was a list of all the titles which were available for borrowing (given 1-2 weeks notice, for preparations to be made and film to be inspected). Titles ranging from Charlie Chaplin silents to educational films from the 1970s, a plethora of NFB material and even Degrassi Junior High episodes (and no, I don't mean the one with Drake in a wheelchair).

This collection has recently been removed from the library. Its location I have not yet been able to determine, but I am destined to discover. A gem for small gauge film enthusiasts among Toronto has seemingly vanished. If only I had had more time to take advantage of it.